San Diego, United States: Organisers of the 2016 Golf Industry Show (GIS) are intent on attracting Asian delegates to golf’s largest industry trade show and education conference.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has confirmed next year’s GIS will be held at the San Diego Convention Centre on America’s West Coast – requiring a far shorter flight from Asia than previous shows held in San Antonio, Texas (2015) and Orlando, Florida (2014).
“Traditionally, one in five delegates at the Golf Industry Show arrive from outside the US, and more and more, this is reflected in the focus of education sessions and their presenters,” said Rhett Evans, Chief Executive Officer, GCSAA.
The GCSAA serves roughly 18,000 members in 78 countries. “We recognise that Asian delegates in particular have a long way to travel – but the Golf Industry Show will never be closer to China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia than when it’s held in San Diego.”
While the trade show itself will be held on February 10-11, the 2016 Education Conference – administered by GCSAA, its member superintendents and dozens of leading turf researchers – will run four full days, February 8-11.
More than 200 scheduled education seminars will cover topics of interest to superintendents, regardless of where in the world they might ply their trade. The 2015 event attracted delegates from 71 different countries.
The reality is, many Asian superintendents typically rely on their employers to help cover the cost of GIS attendance. GCSAA has anticipated this situation by providing prospective attendees a resource package – including draft letters and data – that will help superintendents justify the expense.
“Ultimately, the best justification for attendance is the knowledge superintendents routinely bring home with them – knowledge that advances the course operation, turf health and fiscal economies at their club or course,” Evans said. “Delegates may arrive at GIS with questions, but they leave with answers – thanks to our educational seminars and more than 400 exhibitors on site.”
For those who cannot make it to San Diego, the China Golf Show will take place at Beijing’s China National Convention Centre from March 4-6. Also sponsored by the GCSAA, the education offerings there are targeted at issues facing superintendents working in China.